The jury appears to be out - Birmingham's "first-rate restaurant scene" is lauded by guide books naming it among the top 10 cities in the world but one of the nation's own top restaurant critics would rather leave the country than sample the "rubbish" delights of Brum.

Times writer and food critic Giles Coren said Birmingham was not well-served by restaurants and was "just a bit rubbish" when compared to similar-sized cities in Europe.

"Sorry, I've eaten in its posh ones and they're not my sort of thing at all," he said.

Mr Coren said Leeds's restaurant scene was also "rubbish" and Liverpool's "was worse".

He said there were some good restaurants in Bristol, Manchester and Cheltenham, but added: "Honestly, if I'm going out of London to eat it's more productive to leave the country."

And he is not alone.

Another well-known food critic, who wished to remain anonymous, said Birmingham was not a competitor to London and ranked "quite a way below Edinburgh, Bristol and Manchester."

These include The French, run by former Marco Pierre White protégé Simon Rogan, whose Cumbria restaurant L'Enclume already has two stars, and Manchester House, owned by Great British Menu winning chef Aiden Byrne.

Manchester also has its own "Curry Mile" in Rusholme with dozens of takeaways, shisha cafes and restaurants.

Rebecca Burr, editor of the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland, said: "Birmingham received its first star 10 years ago and it has been pretty well represented since then.

"The current crop of stars all focus very much on using top quality ingredients and there is plenty of innovation and imagination - even when dishes have very strong classical roots.

"Almost inevitably London is still the epicentre of the British food scene. Birmingham fares very well compared to other major regional cities."

Which is England's second city for food and restaurants? Send your thoughts to locallive@bbc.co.uk